Seniors in care facilities deserve high quality care, as well as dignity and respect. I have absolutely no tolerance for any abuse of seniors in care facilities, and I do not accept any excuses aimed at justifying abuse.

I do not believe that physical assault of a resident by a staff person is common. When it happens, as is now alleged at Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home in Regina, there should be clear consequences, up to and including prosecution on criminal charges.

The vast majority of front-line nurses and care aides are compassionate, professional and genuinely care about the residents and patients they serve. Nearly all health care workers strive to provide the best care they can.

But it is important for this government to recognize that, while instances of physical abuse are isolated, other very serious problems are widespread throughout our care facilities. Short staffing is a significant problem, and the quality of care in facilities throughout our province could and should be so much better.

We continue to call on the government to improve staffing levels, to bring back regulated, minimum care standards, to ensure appropriate accountability based on those regulated standards, and to establish a seniors advocate office to work with families in a proactive capacity, preventing tragedies before they happen, and helping seniors and their families navigate the system.

A report from Ontario’s auditor released Tuesday shows that 75 P3 projects will cost taxpayers in that province an additional $8 billion.

“It is time for the government to listen to the mounting evidence from other jurisdictions on P3s,” said NDP Deputy Leader Trent Wotherspoon. “Especially when it comes to our kids’ schools, it’s time for this government to walk away from its expensive P3 rent-a-school scheme.”

The NDP agrees with several of the recommendations made by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce this week, which says the government’s strategy for development in the north is lacking, as is its understanding of the region.

The report from the Chamber’s Northern Business Task Force calls on the government to provide meaningful investment in northern roads; do more to connect people to career and training opportunities; and provide education for northern children comparable to education in the rest of the province.

The Chamber of Commerce also calls on the premier and cabinet ministers to actually visit the far north, which it says the premier hasn’t done since being elected in 2007.

“This government entirely dismisses the north – its economic potential, its industry contributions and the major challenges northern families are facing,” said Doyle Vermette, the NDP critic for Northern Saskatchewan.

The fall session of the Legislature ends Monday, but the NDP says the focus on the seniors care crisis, the government’s hugely wasteful Lean pet project and the smart meter fiasco that will cost ratepayers millions is far from over.

The Opposition has been concerned about a trend of cuts in health care and social services jobs, and is disappointed to see another 1,700 jobs in those sectors lost according to Friday’s Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.

There were also 1,200 jobs lost in the education sector, compared to one year ago.